Anaheim Puts On Impressive Rally in Final Quarter

Anaheim scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns to defeat Savanna, 26-16, in the Orange League opener Friday at Glover Stadium.

Luis Gomez threw only two passes in the final quarter, both for long touchdowns to spark the Anaheim rally.

Gomez, who was 13 for 17 for 250 yards, opened the fourth quarter with a 58-yard touchdown pass play to Jose Rodriquez. The receiver took a short sideline pass and avoided two tackles as he ran for the score.

The conversion kick by Fred Cortez gave Anaheim (2-4, 1-0) a 14-13 lead with 11 minute 46 seconds left in the game.

Jason Brown capped a 10-play drive with a 44-yard field goal as Savanna regained the lead, 16-14, with 5:14 left.

Gomez, showing why he set the county single-game passing record earlier this year, threw his only long pass of the game on the next play from scrimmage, hitting Jesus Acevedo in full stride for a 71-yard go-ahead touchdown. The extra point failed and Anaheim held a 20-16 edge with 4:10 left.

Savanna (3-3, 0-1) had its opportunity to regain the lead dashed on the second play from scrimmage when Careron King was hit from behind, the ball popped out and was caught by Nick Herrera of Anaheim on the Rebel 33. An 11-yard touchdown run by Rodriguez with 1:20 left in the game gave Anaheim the final margin.